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Fuel Cell Technologies Office Recovery Act Projects

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) presented opportunities with potential for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, the Recovery Act was an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the twenty-first century.

Fuel Cell Project Highlights

Fuel Cell Funding Announcement

On April 15, 2009, DOE announced $41.9 million in Recovery Act funding to accelerate fuel cell commercialization and deployment. With approximately $54 million in cost-share funding from industry participants—for a total of nearly $96 million—the new funding supported immediate deployment of up to 1,000 fuel cell systems in emergency backup power, material handling, and combined heat and power applications. These efforts were funded to improve the potential of fuel cells to provide power in stationary, portable, and specialty vehicle applications; and to cut carbon emissions, create jobs, and broaden our nation's clean energy technology portfolio.

Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Opportunities

Funding opportunity announcements through the Recovery Act included potential opportunities for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies.

In addition to supporting funding opportunities, the Recovery Act extended and expanded incentives to encourage the installation of fuel cells and hydrogen fueling infrastructure. The following table summarizes the expansion of tax credits.

Expansion of Tax Credits

Hydrogen Fueling Facility Credit

Increased the hydrogen fueling credit from 30% or $30,000 to 30% or $200,000.

Grants for Energy Property in Lieu of Tax Credits

Allowed facilities with insufficient tax liability to apply for a grant instead of claiming the investment tax credit or the production tax credit. Only entities that pay taxes are eligible.

Manufacturing Credit

Created 30% credit for investment in property used for manufacturing fuel cells and other technologies